John Levett

Who is John Levett?

John Levett was a nineteenth-century athlete who was twice Champion Runner of England. In 1852 he ran 10 miles in 51:42, his personal best time and a longtime world record.

Levett was born in 1826, the eldest son of carpenter John Levett and his wife Sarah. The family lived at York Street, later New Road, Battersea.

John Levett Jr. married Sarah Hannah Coulson, and the couple had five children between 1847 and 1856. Hannah and the children lived at York Street with her Levett in-laws, apparently because her husband was often away training or competing. Money was obviously tight, and Levett's running schedule seems to have left little time for much else.

For his training, John Levett ran at Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, and competed in a succession of races. In 1851 he ran 10 miles in Hyde Park, Sheffield, earning £50. On 11 October 1852, running at Islington for the title of Champion Runner of England, Levett ran 10 miles in under 52 minutes and won the title for the second time.

In August 1854 Levett ran at Birkenhead, near Liverpool, this time winning £100.